AGP Executive Report

Fourth of July safety and enforcement: Rapid City Police say they arrested 10 drivers for DUI from Thursday through early Monday, and they’re adding officers for the holiday rush. Rapid City Fire also urged residents to soak used fireworks in water for at least 20 minutes before disposal, and to check local rules. Severe weather and power risk: Black Hills Energy canceled a PSPS watch for parts of Wyoming after conditions improved, but the company says it will keep monitoring. Local recovery and community response: After Monday’s storms hit Highmore, surrounding communities are stepping in to help, and Sen. Mike Rounds toured the damage area while Hand County moved to declare a disaster. Rapid City recycling boost: The city is set to brief council on a nearly $5 million EPA grant to expand recycling services and cut contamination. New South Dakota laws take effect July 1: Attorney General Marty Jackley’s package includes rules on foreign political money, penalties for AI-generated intimate images, genetic data privacy, drug-crime upgrades, and tighter open-meetings agenda posting. Day One Movement launches in South Dakota: Organizers in Rapid City announced a coalition focused on land back and reparations ahead of the America 250 milestone.

State GOP Nominations: At the South Dakota Republican Party convention in Rapid City, delegates picked Hot Springs attorney Lance Russell as the party’s nominee for attorney general, winning after two rounds of voting; Democrats didn’t field a candidate for AG, so Russell will be on the November ballot alone. Delegates also endorsed candidates for other statewide offices, including Heather Baxter for secretary of state, Brock Greenfield for school and public lands commissioner, Catherine Barranco for state auditor, Melissa Hull for state treasurer, and Don Haggar for the Public Utilities Commission. School Construction Rules: Attorney General Marty Jackley issued an opinion saying South Dakota public school districts must follow competitive bidding and design-build procurement laws for construction contracts of $100,000+ and can’t use cooperative purchasing to dodge those requirements. Weather & Safety: An EF-2 tornado damaged a home near Savageton outside Wright, and officials urged residents to report storm observations because radar can be less reliable farther from the Rapid City station. Agriculture & Research: SDSU researchers developed a vaccine for avian metapneumovirus subtype B, aiming to protect poultry as the disease continues to hit production nationwide. Local Sports: Rapid City Post 22 swept Watertown Post 17 in a doubleheader, winning 4-3 and 12-2, while Rapid City Sandlot beat Cheyenne Extreme 4-1 for the under-18 championship at the Mount Rushmore Classic.

Housing & Voting Fight: House Speaker Mike Johnson says he’ll send a bipartisan housing affordability bill to President Trump on Monday after Trump refused to sign it while pushing the SAVE America Act, a voter ID and citizenship verification package. State Government & Schools: South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley clarified that public school districts can’t dodge competitive bid and design-build rules for construction contracts worth $100,000+ by using cooperative purchasing. Transportation Planning: SDDOT is rolling out interactive public engagement—virtual and in-person—for the tentative 2027-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Water Funding: The EPA announced $1.6 million in drinking-water grants for South Dakota and five other states to tackle PFAS, lead sources, and local water challenges. Mount Rushmore July 3: Trump confirmed he plans to attend the July 3 America 250 fireworks at Mount Rushmore. Local Community: Mitchell residents launched a new nonprofit, MSDR AlterNatives, to offer practical help and peer support for people facing addiction, crime, and isolation. Public Safety: Oglala Sioux Tribe DPS says an adult woman died from a gunshot wound in an incident west of Kyle; officials call it isolated with no threat to the public.

Election Integrity Fight: South Dakota’s Republican convention in Rapid City denied incumbent Monae Johnson a shot at reelection as delegates nominated Heather Baxter, who says she wants paper ballots hand-counted. Severe Weather Watch: The Storm Prediction Center flagged a 30% damaging wind area across parts of North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana, with 80 mph gusts possible and power-outage risk. Healthcare Tech Upgrade: Sanford Black Hills says it has installed a photon-counting CT scanner, aiming for sharper imaging and lower radiation—especially for cardiovascular care. Local Sports & Community: Sioux Falls Canaries dropped a 3-2 decision to Kane County despite a no-hit bid into the seventh; Rapid City Post 320 rallied past Renner 6-4; and Rapid City’s Firecracker Tournament is set to kick off Wednesday at Fitzgerald Stadium. Rural Libraries Under Pressure: A federal funding freeze tied to the Institute of Museum and Library Services threatens rural library services in South Dakota, including interlibrary courier support.

Severe Weather Alerts: A First Alert Weather Day is in effect across KOTA Territory with a tornado watch for parts of western South Dakota through 10–11 p.m. Saturday and a severe thunderstorm watch elsewhere through 7 p.m., with hail up to softball size and damaging winds (60–90 mph) possible. Heat Advisory: A heat advisory runs Sunday 1 p.m. through Monday 9 p.m. for parts of Yankton area counties, with heat index values up to 104 degrees—keep kids and pets out of hot cars and check on neighbors. Sioux Falls Politics: The Sioux Falls mayoral runoff is still separated by just two votes (Erickson up 18,279 to 18,277), setting up a recount that could flip the outcome. State GOP Convention: South Dakota Republicans meet in Rapid City to choose nominees, with attention on internal fights and the John Thune dinner incident involving Scott Presler. Transportation Hall of Honor: SDDOT selected June Hansen (Pierre) and Kari Karst (Dell Rapids) for induction into the 2026 Transportation Hall of Honor. Rural Health & Safety: Good Samaritan highlighted rural access gains and safety improvements in its 2025 Quality Report, including expanding Sanford Health virtual care across South Dakota facilities. Community Fundraisers: Bikes & Brews returns in Sioux Falls to raise money for congenital heart disease research, while Black Hills Energy added $10,000 to a Salvation Army energy-assistance fundraiser. Local Notes: Rapid City will temporarily remove yard waste and recycling containers near Fitzgerald Stadium for Firecracker Tournament parking; FitLot Park free coach-led workouts resume July 6.

South Dakota Politics: At the South Dakota GOP convention, the two remaining Republican governor candidates sparred over prison policy, with Toby Doeden citing a recidivism rate of about 50% and Jamie Rhoden blaming overcrowding and lack of programming while pointing to a new men’s prison. Sioux Falls Elections: The Sioux Falls mayoral race remains razor-thin, heading toward a mandatory recount after a two-vote separation. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Yankton is nearing completion on a roughly $3.8 million Broadway Avenue (U.S. 81) intersection and signal project, while heat warnings are in place for the holiday week. Health Care: Avera cut the ribbon on a new Avera Cancer Institute in Yankton, expanding infusion and exam space under one roof. Agriculture & Courts: A lawsuit challenges USDA’s cancellation of grants tied to “discriminatory preferences,” including a South Dakota-based group that lost an $8.5 million award. Community & Events: Delta Dental’s mobile dental program is set to return to Yankton in August, offering free care for eligible kids.

Mount Rushmore Fireworks Safety: State and federal officials are weighing next week’s fireworks at the monument as fire danger stays high, with the National Park Service coordinating weather monitoring and fuel-reduction burns and wildland firefighters planning for contingencies. SNAP Watch: South Dakota is again topping the nation for SNAP payment accuracy, posting the lowest error rate in the U.S. for FY25, even as federal SNAP rules could raise costs for other states with higher error rates. Water Funding: South Dakota’s DANR says the Board of Water and Natural Resources approved $54.8 million in loans and grants for water, wastewater, and solid waste projects statewide. Local Public Safety & July 4: Sioux Falls reminds residents where fireworks are allowed under city rules, while Rapid City is rolling out America 250 Birthday Bash traffic and parking changes and extended pool hours for the holiday week. Courts & Crime: A Sioux Falls man was sentenced to 7+ years in federal prison for firearm charges, and the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Monsanto in a Roundup labeling liability fight. Community & Health: A new Jewish community center is set to be completed in Sioux Falls early next year, and a Yellowstone visitor was injured in a bison encounter, underscoring wildlife-distance rules.

Mount Rushmore, America 250: President Trump is set to headline a July 3 fireworks show at Mount Rushmore, the first since 2020, with military bands, flyovers, tributes and a speech tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Native history: Tribes and riders are marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn, framing it as survival and cultural continuity. Public safety: Sioux Falls police have arrested Shaheem Rhodes, 29, on four counts of rape after a juvenile reported multiple sexual encounters and alleged offers of money and business opportunities. Wildlife policy: The Trump administration moved to weaken federal protections for endangered whooping crane habitat, with critics warning it could endanger the roughly 500 remaining wild birds. State services: USDA says South Dakota has the lowest SNAP payment error rate in the nation (2.47% in FY2025), far below the national 10.62%. Local government: Vermillion approved bids for electrical materials for its new light & power building. Sports (local): Palace City Post 18 rallied late for a 6-5 walk-off win over Parkston in Legion baseball.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Recount Looms: Christine Erickson leads Jamie Smith by just two votes (18,280 to 18,278) with all precincts reporting, setting up a likely recount under South Dakota rules. Mount Rushmore America 250: President Trump will speak at the July 3 fireworks event, with Gov. Larry Rhoden and Sen. Mike Rounds also attending; officials say extra safety steps and communications upgrades are in place. Local Traffic Updates: Rapid City is rolling out downtown changes for the Real America Birthday Bash, while Sioux Falls is running a monthlong 10th Street traffic safety pilot and other road projects reshape travel. Public Safety & Courts: A Springfield prison employee faces an arrest warrant on felony sexual-contact charges tied to alleged misconduct with an inmate. State Policy Watch: Attorney General Jackley issued an opinion clarifying school districts can’t use cooperative purchasing to bypass competitive bid rules for construction contracts. Ag & Research: SDSU researchers are pushing wheat disease-resistance work as crop losses and costs keep mounting. Native Community Commemorations: Tribes marked the Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass anniversary with horse races, dance, and song.

Politics in Washington: U.S. Senate Republicans left a Trump lunch still split, with senators pointing to unresolved fights over voter ID and Iran war questions. Housing & voting rights: Trump abruptly canceled a planned signing of a bipartisan affordable housing bill, while also pushing a national voter ID package that’s straining GOP unity. Rural South Dakota mail: Rural residents and businesses report worsening USPS delays and unreliable service, with local shippers increasingly turning to private carriers. America 250 at Mount Rushmore: Trump is set to speak July 3 at Mount Rushmore as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations, with fireworks and military tributes. Public safety & courts: South Dakota Senate Majority Whip Tom Pischke faces felony forgery charges tied to election documents. Community & health: LifeServe is urging blood donations this July as summer demand rises. Sports: Sioux Falls mayoral runoff results are headed to a June 26 canvass after an ultra-tight two-vote margin.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Recount Watch: The city’s mayoral race is headed for a recount after a razor-thin margin, with the Minnehaha County auditor saying a handful of provisional ballots could still matter. Utilities Merger: South Dakota regulators unanimously approved the Black Hills Energy–NorthWestern Energy merger, creating Bright Horizon Energy and adding customer-protection and labor-related settlement terms. Local Infrastructure & Crowds: Rapid City is starting lane closures on Fifth and Omaha streets to install Memorial Park barricades ahead of America 250 events, including a new downtown parade on July 2. Public Safety & Courts: A Custer County sheriff appointment was made official with Derrick Reifenrath sworn in, while state Sen. Tom Pischke faces felony charges tied to alleged falsified GOP precinct forms. Health & Policy: South Dakota’s cell-cultured protein moratorium begins July 1, and the state’s nursing homes continue grappling with staffing and survey backlogs. Weather: The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado near Wright, Wyoming, with EF-2 damage reported to a home. Sports: Mitchell’s Asher Dannenbring won the SDGA Junior golf crown in a playoff; Tripp County’s Oren Sargent qualified for national trap finals.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Recount: Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith are tied after the runoff, separated by just two votes (18,279 to 18,277), with five provisional ballots still to be counted—so a recount is now the next step. Local Elections: Sioux Falls City Council races also moved forward: Zak Okuwe won the Central District seat in the runoff, while James Oppenheimer and Sara Pankonin captured At-Large and the Southeast District seat, respectively. School Policy: South Dakota’s Board of Education approved state-required prenatal development videos starting July 1, including “Baby Olivia” from anti-abortion group Live Action. Public Media: South Dakota Public Broadcasting says it will keep covering SDHSAA state athletic and fine arts events despite national funding pressure. Sports & Community: SDSU scheduled a July 28 groundbreaking for a new women’s soccer facility; Rapid City’s Midland Scientific Open starts Friday; and a Sioux Falls-area blood drive push continues as summer shortages loom. Food Safety: Power Plate Meals recalled frozen meatloaf due to an undeclared soy allergen.

Housing & Cost of Living: Congress passed a bipartisan “21st Century Road to Housing Act” aimed at boosting supply as Americans struggle with unaffordable home prices. War Powers: The U.S. Senate joined the House in voting to halt U.S. military action against Iran, a symbolic rebuke of President Trump. Education Policy: The South Dakota Board of Education Standards approved prenatal development videos for schools, including limits on abortion-related content. Local Public Safety & Health: Rapid City’s long-running “Guns N’ Hoses” blood drive is back as “Red, Blue, and You,” with Vitalant seeking steady summer donations. Mail Service Watch: Sen. Mike Rounds urged South Dakotans with USPS delivery problems to submit complaints to a federal inspector general investigation. Elections & Rights: Supreme Court action leaving in place limits on private enforcement of Voting Rights Act protections drew fresh criticism. Crime Update (Rapid City): Police arrested a man on solicitation-of-a-minor charges after a search warrant. Affordable Housing (Spearfish): A proposed $9.3 million, 32-unit complex would be the first in the region to tap new federal affordable housing funds. Ag & Tech: SDSU and Iowa State beef extension partners are set to showcase new livestock production tools near Sanborn.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Runoff: Voters head to the polls today to choose the next mayor in the runoff between Christine Erickson (37% in the June 2 primary) and Jamie Smith (28%), with term-limited Paul TenHaken stepping aside. State Politics & Education: South Dakota schools will start showing state-approved prenatal development videos on July 1, with the South Dakota Board of Education Standards approving three options, including “Baby Olivia” from an anti-abortion group. Agriculture Leadership: South Dakota Soybean names Kevin Scott as its next executive director as Jerry Schmitz retires in early July. Rural Economy & Jobs: SDSU is launching a new two-year Dairy Technology degree with tracks for dairy production and dairy products, aiming to feed more workers into the growing dairy industry. Black Hills Mining: Coeur Mining’s Wharf Mine brought in much higher revenue in 2025 despite slightly lower gold output, with the mine also employing 266 people and paying millions in severance taxes. Public Health & Safety: Pennington County’s non-emergency phone lines are disrupted; officials say to use 911 if you can’t reach ESCC. Food Recall: Power Plate Meals, LLC recalled frozen meatloaf products shipped to South Dakota due to an undeclared soy allergen. Environment & Law: Seventeen states, including South Dakota, are suing California to block its single-use plastics packaging law.

Politics & Elections: South Dakota’s Republican governor runoff is set for July 28 between Toby Doeden and Gov. Larry Rhoden, after neither hit 35% in the June 2 primary—while Sioux Falls voters head to a mayoral runoff June 23. Education: The state Board of Education Standards approved prenatal human growth video options for public schools, including the anti-abortion group-backed “Baby Olivia,” plus two other approved videos. Local Planning & Safety: Rapid City released a public traffic count map showing the busiest roads and where growth has been heading; Pennington County also reminded residents about fireworks rules and penalties during the July 5 curfew period. Public Health & Community: South Dakota schools will soon receive guidance on state resources for combatting human trafficking. Sports & Community Life: Rapid City’s traffic map and Pennington fireworks rules weren’t the only local updates—Dahl Arts Center summer art camps are underway, and area rodeo athletes wrapped up the 77th High School State Rodeo at Fort Pierre.

Foster Care Crisis in Rapid City: Abbott House opened two new foster homes after leaders said the city has a 5-to-1 shortage of placements for youth. Ag & Food Transparency: Hungry for Truth’s Farm to Fork event near Mitchell brought lawmakers and soybean farmers together for “honest conversation” about how food is grown. Prop 12 Debate: A renewed fight over hog confinement keeps heating up, with supporters pointing to animal-welfare rules and opponents warning about enforcement and market impacts. Governor Race Aftermath: U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson said he doesn’t yet know what’s next after losing the GOP bid for governor, citing hostility to Washington insiders. Military Funding: The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the FY 2027 defense bill, including about $43.7 million for South Dakota National Guard construction and support for B-21 work. Local Housing for Health Workers: A Hot Springs hospital is investing in a subdivision to create 48 affordable units for employees, aiming to ease a staffing shortage driven by lack of housing. Watertown Cannabis Expansion: Roy’zzz opened a new Watertown dispensary as part of its I-29 growth plan. Independence Day Picks: Fourth of July events across the region highlight the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening and other big celebrations. Sports & Community: Rapid City’s Cardboard Boat Races returned at the Roosevelt Swim Center, and Sioux Falls’ Juneteenth Freedom Walk is back with a more low-key format.